Question How much ammo do you keep on hand?

Racer88

Racer88

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Generally speaking... How much ammo "in reserve" makes you feel comfortable?
 
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I keep about 4k rounds of handloaded ammo on hand most of the time, and my factory stash far exceeds that.

I get a warm fuzzy feeling every time I see the stack of ammo cans.
 
Answer: not enough... :(
Although slimedia would probably call my horde a "major arsenal"... ;)
 
@Racer88 - 25 rounds is an "arsenal"šŸ˜Š

I have what Rolls Royce would call "sufficient" in most calibers.
 
A few hundred lbs. last load we got busted the wheels off the moving cart before we got it all stowed awayā€¦wantnā€™t no cheap Amazon cart either. šŸ¤£


9MM:
Average 9mm Luger round:
Rounds per pound ~ 38.10rds
Weight per 100 rounds ~ 2.63lbs

.40cal
Average .40S&W round:
Rounds per pound ~ 28.07rds
Weight per 100 rounds ~ 3.56lbs

.45cal
Average .45ACP round:
Rounds per pound ~ 21.33rds
Weight per 100 rounds ~ 5.07lbs

5.56/.223
Average .223/5.56 round:
Rounds per pound ~ 37.21rds
Weight per 100 rounds ~ 2.69lbs
Amount per .30 can ~ 600rds
Amount per .50 can ~ 1200rds
Weight of 600 rounds ~ 16lbs
Weight of 1200 rounds ~ 33lbs

7.62x51/.308
Average .308/7.62x51 round:
Rounds per pound ~ 19.05rds
Weight per 100 rounds ~ 5.25lbs

Think these number are correct
 
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Speaking specifically for a caliber I regularly shoot, I guess that comfort zone is in the 2,000 round range for practice ammo. I only say that because when supplies shriveled during COVID, I had about 2 unopened cases of 9mm and avoided the range as I wasn't sure how readily I could restock. With prices down where they are now, it is more a function of using any spare $ I can scrounge and ordering when I see a special keeping the supply well above 2K. I'm easily shooting 600 to 800 rounds of it a month. Other calibers I try to at least have 1,000 rounds.
 
At any rate people, you need to buy more ammo NOW! Ammo prices always go up nearing elections and I've also heard grumblings about a worldwide nitrocellulose shortage that will affect supplies. :eek:
 
Racer88 said:
And there's no such thing as "too much," unless you're swimming or on fire.
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There is - if you have to carry it. I'm not a subscriber to the bunker defense strategy. I would stay put as long as I could, but once the other side wants you or whoever is in your castle, they will eventually win. I'd choose to be mobile, constant moving. I like my odds better if being chased vs. surrounded.

As Gen Patton once wrote, "Fortifications are monuments to man's stupidity". :)
 
Bongo Lewi said:
There is - if you have to carry it. I'm not a subscriber to the bunker defense strategy. I would stay put as long as I could, but once the other side wants you or whoever is in your castle, they will eventually win. I'd choose to be mobile, constant moving. I like my odds better if being chased vs. surrounded.
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Except out there (on the road, on a trail, etc) it is VERY easy for them to surround you... And you have nothing between you and them. You're effectively naked.

If you're on the road, you can go as far as your fuel capacity allows. Then... you're fucked. There won't be open / available gas stations on the way in the case of SHTF. And your provisions are limited (as you recognized) by what you can carry on your body. And that ain't much.

There are pros and cons to each approach. I'm "bugging in."
 
Bongo Lewi said:
I'm not a subscriber to the bunker defense strategy.
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Racer88 said:
Except out there (on the road, on a trail, etc) it is VERY easy for them to surround you...
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I think bugging out/in is going to depend on one's location. If rural, I WOULD stay there and defend until out of ammo and/or food. Where the hell are you going to bug-out to, anyway? :unsure: Some top secret military-ish underground bunker to live in isolation? Or to live off the land in some National Park? :rolleyes: How will you be safe from being picked off by some sniper who wants to be left alone? šŸ˜µ

If in the city, at the first sign of trouble I would bug-out and get as far away as possible. But how far could you get before you hit a traffic jam and become a sitting duck? Look how much havoc twenty un-armed protestors can do on a highway because the pussy in the lead car is afraid to deservedly run them the fuck over, trapping the rest behind them! :mad: Now imagine armed thugs looting vehicles down the line. :eek: An up-armored vehicle would be necessary. And LOTS of ammo.
 
Bobster said:
I think bugging out/in is going to depend on one's location. If rural, I WOULD stay there and defend until out of ammo and/or food. Where the hell are you going to bug-out to, anyway? :unsure: Some top secret military-ish underground bunker to live in isolation? Or to live off the land in some National Park? :rolleyes: How will you be safe from being picked off by some sniper who wants to be left alone? šŸ˜µ

If in the city, at the first sign of trouble I would bug-out and get as far away as possible. But how far could you get before you hit a traffic jam and become a sitting duck? Look how much havoc twenty un-armed protestors can do on a highway because the pussy in the lead car is afraid to deservedly run them the fuck over, trapping the rest behind them! :mad: Now imagine armed thugs looting vehicles down the line. :eek: An up-armored vehicle would be necessary. And LOTS of ammo.
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I'm in a semi rural area where I'm quite sure ALL my neighbors are armed.

The zombies would be making a BIG mistake coming to our area.

If the Hamas terrorists had tried to invade my neighborhood, it would have been a fucking PARTY. I can see them coming over in their para-gliders... "Hey, Junior! You got this one? Or can I have it? BLAM!"

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FcJ9Pg0Y9kg
 
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Bobster said:
Where the hell are you going to bug-out to, anyway? :unsure: Some top secret military-ish underground bunker to live in isolation? Or to live off the land in some National Park?
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Exactly. Unless you have a specific (hidden) destination that offers shelter, and are ready to "run the gauntlet" of anarchists and armed pirates all the way there.... I really don't get the (I dare say romanticized) concept of "bugging out."
 
I live in a small town (<6000 people) that is surrounded by miles of undeveloped land. Our town was devastated by hurricane Florence in 2018. It was a true SHTF scenario with people isolated by washed-out roads, no water, no electricity and virtually no communication with the outside world. We had only generator power for 10 days. The National Guard brought in food and water by helicopter to some neighborhoods. Our community pulled together better than I could have imagined. It was heartwarming to see strangers helping strangers without being asked. I too am bugging in.

Here is a link to a first-hand account of a prolonged Mad Maxx world by a guy who lived in Bosnia in the 90s. I think he makes several good points that we need to keep in mind.
 
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